Adjusting means for colored-light signals



March 3, 1931. w. Kyi-'IW AfmsTING MEANS FOR COLORED LIGHT SIGNAUS,l

original- Filled March 14 A'TToRNEY. f

` sons, it is desirable to provide some Patent-eci Mar. 3, 1931 i winrnnor x. Hownfo'r nocnnsrna; j

' 'SIGNAL COMPANY, crearne; new Yoan; a -coaronarien cant-:w Yom:

I ADJUSTING Manns ronconoRnn-msn'r,srGivALsj Application inea Marsala, 1923, semaine; 625,068! Renewedctcber `ltr-1926.. y i' This invention rellateslto adjustable supporting means V,forlight signals for'railway` signaling purposes. y Y

In employing light signals for railway signaling purposes instead of ythe welllinown semaphore signals, yit i'swfound necessary to employ a coloredV lightbeam of ,suf-

rlicient intensity tomake it visible for a con.

siderable distance lduring theday. time as wellas at night. In order to obtain a beam ofthe desired intensityin an economic manner, it is desirable to use a light concentrating device which conc-entrates the ylight into a rather narrow beam. Obviously, it is important that this beam or pencil of colored light should be directed along the track in such a direction thatit can be most advantageously observed by the engineer ofan approaching train. The pole or Hbridge structure, however, on which the light signal is mounted, will not ordinarily in practlce'be truly vertical.Y Likewise, curves or grades may require thev beam tobe directed in a special direction. For these and other real lkind of adjustable bracket, or support, for light signals oflthis kind, such that the light signals are separately adjustably supported ein. aV

manner that permits the signals to have Vtheir relative position to the traclrway easilyv and accurately changedto the desired extent.'

The objects and purposesof the `present-invention contemplate the provision of an improved adjustable supportffor light signals, which permits the signals to be adjusted to any extent required in practice to the approximate correct position Vand which also` permits the 'signal to be further adjusted within limited margins very accurately and toa high degree of refinement, such adjustments being made easily and in a direct and e'lqcient manner. Other objects of the present invention contemplate the provision of a single adjustable member, Y which ,is very strong, supports the signal firmly, and facilitates adjustment of the signal `in two planes substantially at right angles toeach other,

this member and itsassociated parts being constructed to permit adjustment of the sigvnal to various positions and to firmly suptim/es maintains precisely the position cor,-

Vresponding to lthe adjustment made.

port Y the signal 'k-*while l such adjustments NEW Yon'x; nssieivon ATo GENERAL Yrs-nimmav`v being made, that is, without Iallowing intervening lost motion so that the signal at 'all mentstill possible before the extreme limits ofadjustment are reached.

scription hereinafter.

- In describing the invention in detaihref- '55 A. still further object. of this invention' is to' providev al suitable means for indicating accurately the amount of adjustment that is" being made, andalso the amount of adjusterence will lbe inade to the accompanying` drawing, in which Figure l is aside elevation of va three-unit light signal supported by an adjustable sup'-v port embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the adjust-y able supporting-means shown 1n Fig.. 1, in

which parts thereof are broken away, and other parts are shown in dotted lines to illustrate its construction;

f Fig. 3 is a `partial plan view, and va partial sectional view [taken on the line ,f3-43,. Figi 4, of thefadjustable supporting means, more fully shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on theline 4 4, Fig. 2, as viewed in thejdirection of the arrows. f y

kReferring more particularly to Fig. 1 the adjustable support for light signals has been illustrated as appliedto' athre'e-unit multiple unit type signal comprising three signal cas-A ings. S, eachprovided with a shield or sunshadev l, and having a common background 2 extending the entire length ofthe signal.l

Thesesignal units are constructed so asto bev interchangeable, and have their top and bottom'walls provided with an opening, as shown in Fig. 4, to permit wires to be led into the several signal casings. In practice each of these signal casings isk provided with a suitable light source, such `as an incandescent lamp andl a suitable light concentrating device, preferably comprising one or more lenseswhich will concentrate the light emitted vfrom Y the casing but will not produce a phantom indication, such as may be produced by reiiection. Y

In'the present embodiment ofthe invention illustrated, this Amultiple Aunit signal is supported on the signal pole Slby `a suitable adjustable support which generally comprises a base member B, fastened directly 'to .fill

the, pole. .3, and, a can member C ,adjust-ably supported Lon the` base member and liiiedly bolted to the lower unit of Vthe signal. l

The base member Bcomprises af main body portion 4 of general cylindrical shape having its upper 'portion' slightly reducedV and f flattened, aSShOWn at 5 in Fia 3, .and having tlie ui iiiattenedportion of its upperextremity reenlorcedV on the inside and provided with an external annular groove ofgenerai 'rece .tangular cross-sectional arena (see Figli). In

each of thesefgrooves closely but inovabl'y lits an arcuate shoe'G for purposesfmore fully described hereinafter. The internal diameter of this base member B .gradually reducesnear themiddle portion of this cylindrical body portion to'form a conical surface, as shown at `these set screws 8.v After the adjustment be tween these two elements. has beenv ,deter` mined, these -set screws 8 may be lockedin place by locknuts 9, thus providing a coarse adjustment which after havingonce been made will possibly not need to be changed again, since more refined adjustment can be ina-de in another way. j i .Y

The basemember B has integral therewith any extending arm or bracket 11 providedwith arvertical reentorcing rib. The outer endof thisA arinlor'bracket, I11 is bossed and threaded to accommodate a bolt 13 adapted to be locked in an adjusted position by a lock nut 14.

The caprmember Q comprises/a similar Y cylindrical body 'portion 20, which. has'its' upper end flattened on twol opposite sides only, `as clearly shown in F rIlhisupper end of the body 'portion 20ct the cap C terminates in projecting perforated flanges 21 (see Fig. which may be bolted to either end of a signal Leasing S bolts 22 j y On oppositehsides ofthis body.` portion and substantially indirect alignment with the ,flanges 21 are provided bosses 24 drilled and tapped, and containing threaded. vadjustable journal pins adapted to be locked in place in bosses 24 by lock nuts 26. With the cap member() in position on the base member B, the journal pins 25 extend into holes in the horizontally slidalole shoes 6 and are rockable in such holes (see Figs. 3 and 4). In practi'cefthe shoes 6 and theirp'ivotfpins 25 are gpreferably lubricated to reduce" -i'riction and-avoid rusting or corrosion'.V The cap .member C isprovided with an extending armv 28, similar to. tliearm 11 of the basefmember B, but provided withboth top and bottom. `reenforcing ribs.` Near the end of this arm `is an elongated arcuate slot or opening Q9 see Fig. 3')` through which the bolt 18 passes. Annut or sleeve 32, pinned to the bolt 1,3, limits tl'ieinovement of the arm 2S downward onthis bolt, whereas two nuts 33 and '34 locked together, as shown','limit the-"move` ment of the armfQB'upward.

*Forreasonl already explained, it is an iin-1 portant vpractical consideration to'be able to lmake certain adjustments ofrailway signals,

particularly color 'light signals', so yas to direc-t the beam @flight in the proper direction.

Foruin's'tance, the train may. approach the signal from around a curve, oronan upgrade', or, on a down grade; and it,will be evident that itis highly advantageous to beable to pointK the signal Yin the right direction to give the most eifective indication for the particular` -location of that signal. Furthermore, theseadjiistments must be A'obtainable Vwith a high degree of accuracy, because a veryv smallmovement* at `the :signal represents v'a large change in theposition ofthe beam oflight at such long :distances Vaway fromthe signal as correspond to the range commonlyA desired,

these distancesfbein'g `vfrequently4,00() feet In order to malte such refined adjustments to 4practical advantage, it is obvious that it is desirable t0 have some wayin which the operator can easily tell .when a signal is pointed in the right direction. This'may be ascertained by `inspection of the signal from a distance, but ritis preferred to use in connection `with the adjustable support ofthis invention a suitable sighting device by' means of which. the operator at the signal may determine accurately the line along which the beamof light isprojected. Various types of sighting devices may be employed to advantagein connection 4 with this invention, and-noatt-empt liasibeenma'de to shojvi'ain'y particular type.; One typical sighting device suitable forthis'purposeis ldisclosed in the application Iof Day, Serial'No. 508,194, ned. caoba-- u, 192.1.

Regarding the character of adjustment desirable in practice, it can be readily seen that the light signal mayleaii or tip sidewise ol the verticalwithout particularly ,alteriii'gfthe Visibility of its indication ,but that itisliiglily important Vto have the signal tip forwardl or backward from the vertical just theriglit amount; norderftodire'ct the beamrjof light` inthe proper direction, dependingiupon the gradeand the range',V Similarly, it is lim-. portant' to bev able-to. turnr'thesignal on its vertical aXis to the'properposition so as to direct "its beam of'. light straight downy the track or slightlysidevvise totake care of a The two important.adjustments above mentioned areprovided'for inthe construction shown and described withy ahigh degree of accuracy. Furthermore, these adjustments may be made independently ofeach' other. The shoes 6 Working in aI horizontal sliding manner: in the groove rinthe upper end of the base member B determine-the vertical axis on Which the signal mayturn, .assuming the base'member B to remain stationary; and it Will be-notedthat thislaxis :can remain fixed independently of'anychange in a vertical direction in the relativeposition of the brackets 11 and 28; Similarlythe' pivot `pins define a horizontal' axisv o n which the signal may betilted. These axes,

the above mentioned vertical and horizontal axis, are preferably located at right angles to each other as shown.l VThe purpose ot brackets l1 and 28 isto permit very accurate turning of the signalen either or both of :sel

these tWo axes, such turning movement being obtainableseparately or simultaneously as maybe foundh most expedient to obtain a particular positioning of the signal. rThe refinement or accuracy of'adjustment is dependent upon the length of the brackets 1l and 28, it being obvious that a movement at'- the outer ends of these brackets reduces a proportionally smaller movement at the sig` nal according to the length vof the brackets. The `proportion of the parts illustrated is found to give as much refinement and adjustment as is necessaryfor ordinary conditions" encountered in practice.

When installing a light 'signal in Vaccord- 'I ance With the present invention, after erecting the pole, changes of course may bev as nearl lumb as practicable. kThe base mem-l iin'ed adjustment is obtained by changing the relation of the brackets 141 and 28 With the aid of a suitable Lsighting deviceor other eX-l pedient. A I. l

When it irs-desired to turn the Ysignal on its vertical axis so that it points straight down the track, the nuts 88 and34 are loosened and the bracket 28 is `then sivnng'in either direction as desired. During this movement, the lsignal turns .on the, axis provided bythe cooperation ofc'theshoes lpfin: e theirgro'oves. The collar 32 andl the nuts-'33 and Stlkeep the: signal Afrom rocking: forwardv orbackvvard onthe pivot-pins 25.* The gradnations Sfiar'ehelpful in makingthis adjust,

ment.

When

it is desired to for.- Wa'd 0T backward, the nuts 33 and 34 are loos- L f ened'slightly, suiiicient toavoid cramping-4v other; 'and after 'loosening the am nut le,

.the'bo'lt'l isiturned in the proper direction 'to raise or lovver thebracketQS to the-bracket l1. Y

" "Among thevarious advantageous features with respect.;4 j

of the constructionembodying thisjinvention',

itis desired to emphasize. the accuracy and' precision Vvvith which the' adjustments mostu.

importantk in'A practice can be obtained,to-V

gether with thefact thatth'eftwo adjustments may be: madeseparately .and.`independently, the adjustment onone axis not materially at. least changing the adjustment on the other?.V

axis rpreviously made. rlhe `variousTpivotal connections are also providedA in such :a man.

ner as to permit the leadwvires'?y forthe various signal lamps to be carried through the pole and into the signal casings Without Y danger oi injury to these Wire-s While ad-'- justments are being. made. Also, the structure 1s so arranged as to be protected from rain and Water, the cap C 1nV particular overlapping andnoverhanging the base membervv B so as to keep out Waterfrom the lead Wires and interior of the poleand signal casings.

Having shown and described one specific embodiment of the-color light signal comprising several signal units and an adjustable signal support adapted for supporting various types of railway signals, and having illustrated the support applied to one particular type of signal, it is desired to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to adapt this adjustable support to various types of signals Linder varying conditions encountered in practice, Without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For instance, by slightly modifying the vbase member B, a signal such` as illusf trated may besuspended from a bridge, or

the like, since opposite sides of the signal casing` are identical, and in this event.' the 4cap member C and the cover onthe .upper signal housing Will vbe intere-hanged, and the 'basemember B may be supported' directly to such bridge', or the like.

t What I desire to secure l. An adjustable support for signal mechby Letters Patent anisms comprising, a stationary support having an extending bracket, amember piv-l izo otally supported on said support to swing in two different :planes relativeto said support, said member having :1Q-bracket substantially'uco-extensiverwith 'the bracket of said 'as thebrackets l1 and 28 move towardfeachjn75ysupport, and means for'jmoving the. 'outer endY offene of* said bracketsfwith.. respect to the other. insaid'diiierent planes and forf main. taining said brackets-1n ftheinrespective ad-4 plvotmeans interconnecting said members to allow adjustment about two axes only substantially atright angles to each other between said `two members, and a. single adjustable connection between said two membersV for locking saidmembers in any of: their adjusted positions.

3. Adjustable meansV for supporting signals for railroadsv comprising, a base member,

a cap member, means extending from said members connected together to form a pivoted connection between said members allowing adjustmentbetween said members about two, aXes substantially at right angles to eachV other,- said cap, member being provided with a skirt voverhanging said pivotal connection to. house said pivotal means.

4.r An adjustable support for railway sig-j nals comprising, a base member having a circumferentialV groove, a cap member having .pivotal'means extending therefrom and into said groove, and means extending from said two members Vadapted for adjusting and maintaining the relationiof said two members in the, two planes of movement afforded by the connection between said members.

5. An adjustable support for railway signals. comprising, a base member. having'` a peripheral groove, means slidably supported in said groove, a cap member surrounding the grooved portion. of said base member and having a pin. extending into said means, and arms extending vtromY said members, and means for adjnstably connecting said arms together.

6'. An adjustable support for railway signals comprising a base member having a peripheral groove, shoes slidably mounted in said groove, and a cap member mounted on said base member by pivot pinsreXtending into said shoes, whereby said :members may be adjusted in two different planes.

7. Anadjustable -support for railway sig-` nals comprising, two members relatively movable in two planes, a. bracket extending from each of said members, anda connecting means for the outer ends of said brackets, said connecting means having screw-threaded connection with one o said brackets and passing through an arcuate slot in the'other of said brackets, whereby said members may be moved to and locked in relative adjiisted,

" cured to a fixed support and having horizonmember land engaging with; sa-.idl grooves; on

L opposite Vsides-,o saidjbase member and-permitting said Ycap Vmembers to be turned;on .its

verticalY anisy andztilted vertically relative to.

said base member, means for fixedly securing a. signal casing to said cap member,` an arm extending from saidbasemember:havingl a screw-threadedopening -atfits free end, an:

arm extending from'` said cap member; and

having an arcuate slotfin its.l free end, said Y arms bei-ng substantiallyY parallel, and a bolt.y for adjustably connecting the free ends; ofi

said arms, said bolt having. an adjustable screw-threaded connection with the arm on said base; member, andhaving adjustableA sliding connection with the arcuate-slot in the arm of said cap-member.V v

in adjustable support for securing a railway signal casing to a ii-Xed support vcorri.-

prising a base memberhaving means for adjustably engaging said fixed. support and having horizontalgly-v disposed peripheral grooves, cap member-fitting over said base member, pivotal means carried byv said capv meinberand engaging the; I'Jeripheralv grooves on opposite sides of said base member,

bracket-sextending Jfrom said base and cap j members, and a bolt having.angadjustable screw-threaded connection with the free end ofone ofsaid brackets-,and passing through an arcuateslot in the other of said brackets, saidbolt carrying means` i'or clamping said brackets i-n fixed relative positions, wherebysaidY signal housing-may be moved'ito and secured in various adjusted positions relative to said pole. Y Y

l0; An adjustable support for railway signals compris-ing abase meinberdetachably securedto a signal pole, a cap member, pivot:` means supporting said cap member on saidY base member to be movable with respect thereto about a vertical and a horizontal axis, and

meanssecuring said members together in any.

one of anumber of relative adjusted positions and capable yof accurately restraining said members to relative movement on `either of said anesindependently.

An adjustable support for light. signals, comprising,A a lower member, an upper member ixable to a light signal, anintermed-iate means rotatably carried by 'theilowcrfmember, a pivotal connection between the upper member Y and the intermediate means, and means including an'elongated armiixed rela-,

Vtally` disposed peripheral, grooves,- ajv .cap 1 member, having. ajvertical` axis, fitting vover I the base member, meanscarried by said-cap tive to the light signal for rotatably and pivotally adjusting, in two different .planes,.the upper member relatively to thelowermember.'V

12. In alight signal support, a base, means to fix the base to. a support, a top member,

means to iiX the top member 4to a signal casing, a rotatable and pivotalA connection only a single means to adjust an about axes respectively at right angles to each other betweenthe base and top membei1 and j d tix the top member relative to the base. i f

13. In a light signal support, a base, mea-ns to fix the base to a support, a top member, means to -x the top member to a signal casing, a rotatable connection and a pivotal Vconnection vbetween the base and top member and means including an elongated' arm fixed relatively to the signal casing and spaced from the said connection to adj ust in two diilerent planes and iix the top'member relative to the base.

14. An adjustable support for railway signals, comprising a base member detacliably securable to a signal pole, a cap member, pivot means supporting said cap member on said base member to be movable 'with respect to the base member about avertical and a horizontal axis, and means securing said members together in any one of a number ot relative adjusted positions and having means permitf ting` securingrelative movement of said members on either of said axes only, said means comprising horizontal arms extending from said members, said arms having an adjustable connection. j

15. A structure for supporting the casings of light signals and permitting the adjustment loi said signals to direct their light beams in the desired directioncomprising, two members, pivot means interconnecting said members to be relatively movable in' planes at right angles to each other, an extension on each member terminatin g at a substantial distance from the axis of the' signal, and means including a threaded element associated with, and arranged formoving, said extensions with-respect to each-other in directions corresponding` to relative movement of the members in said planes.. Y

16. In a device ot the character described a signal support comprising, two members,

' .an adjustable connection between said members including a plurality of angularly positioned interconnect-ing axles for permitting relative movement in two diiierent directions, two arms, extending from the members, and a screw threaded connection between the outer ends of the arms permitting relative movement of the ends ot said arms only in two, non-parallel, directions.

17. In a Asupporting structure for light signals, a support, a member, means'toconneet said member to a signal and to pivotally connect it to said support so as toy swivel about a vertical axis, said support and mem!` ber having arms, and screw threaded means connecting the outer ends of said arms.

18. An adjustable support for railway signals comprising, a base member detachably secured to a signall pole, a cap member, pivot means connecting the cap member to said base member to be movable with respect there- .two separate adjustments canb'e madel be- 85 to about a vertical and a horizontalaxis, and means extending away from thepoint of interconnection of said members for securing said members together in any one lof a number of relative adjusted positions and including means for restraining said members tofV relative movement on either of said axes independently, said means comprising horizon- 7 tal arms extending from said members, said arms having an adjustable connection.

19. An adjustable support for railway signals comprisinga base member and a cap -meinber, .means associated with said-base member for adjustably securing it to a signal pole, a double pivot means for adjustably connecting said cap member to said base member for relative movement aboutjonly two axes having a lixed angular relation, whereby tween said basemember and cap member.

20. An adjustable support for railway sig-f Y 21. An adjustablesupport forrailway l nals, comprising two interconnected members, pivot means allowing saidmembers to be moved relatively to each other in -two directions at substantially rightangles, an elongated arm fixed to one member and extending awayfrom the point of interconnection, and means on the other member for adjustingand yfixing the position of the arm relative to said; other member. j j i, 22. An adjustable support for railway signals,` comprising, a base .member detachably sccurable to a signal pole, a member, double pivot connection means between said base member vand said member whereby adjustment about two axes only, substantially at right angles to each other, is possible between said two members, and meansi'or locking said members in any of their adjusted positions.

23. Adjustable means for supporting signals for railways comprising, a base member, a cap member, double pivotA connection means extending from said members and connected together to form a pivotedconnection between signature.

' WINTHROP K. HOWE.

ecy 

